KenP
07-03-2006, 11:51 PM
Every major competitor is OUT of the tour. Lance could have done it again. I bet he's kicking himself.
Then again, maybe Hincapie can win, Lance's right hand man.:D
http://www.sportal.com.au/cycling.asp?i=news&id=84769
Teams pull Ullrich, Basso out
http://www.sportal.com.au/webi/space.gifhttp://www.sportal.com.au/photos/news/084769news.jpghttp://www.sportal.com.au/webi/space.gifThe German T-Mobile team has withdrawn Jan Ullrich and Oscar Sevilla after both were named in an official inquiry into blood doping.
Ullrich, the 1997 Tour winner, has finished second five times behind Lance Armstrong and was widely tipped to take the yellow jersey after the Americans' retirement last year.
However the names of those involved in the inquiry, including Ullrich and his teammate Sevilla, as well as another tour favourite, Ivan Basso, were revealed after the judge lifted reporting restrictions at the request of prosecutors.
Other riders named include Spaniards Joseba Beloki, Roberto Heras, and Francisco Mancebo, American Tyler Hamilton and Colombian Santiago Botero.
Ullrich, represented by his team spokesman Christian Frommert, has denied he has anything to do with the issue.
"We have again asked Jan and (T-Mobile teammate) Oscar (Sevilla) for an explanation," Frommert told AFP.
"They both maintain what they have already said, they have nothing to do with this affair."
T-Mobile has also withdrawn its sports director and Ullrich's mentor, Rudy Pevenage.
Then again, maybe Hincapie can win, Lance's right hand man.:D
http://www.sportal.com.au/cycling.asp?i=news&id=84769
Teams pull Ullrich, Basso out
http://www.sportal.com.au/webi/space.gifhttp://www.sportal.com.au/photos/news/084769news.jpghttp://www.sportal.com.au/webi/space.gifThe German T-Mobile team has withdrawn Jan Ullrich and Oscar Sevilla after both were named in an official inquiry into blood doping.
Ullrich, the 1997 Tour winner, has finished second five times behind Lance Armstrong and was widely tipped to take the yellow jersey after the Americans' retirement last year.
However the names of those involved in the inquiry, including Ullrich and his teammate Sevilla, as well as another tour favourite, Ivan Basso, were revealed after the judge lifted reporting restrictions at the request of prosecutors.
Other riders named include Spaniards Joseba Beloki, Roberto Heras, and Francisco Mancebo, American Tyler Hamilton and Colombian Santiago Botero.
Ullrich, represented by his team spokesman Christian Frommert, has denied he has anything to do with the issue.
"We have again asked Jan and (T-Mobile teammate) Oscar (Sevilla) for an explanation," Frommert told AFP.
"They both maintain what they have already said, they have nothing to do with this affair."
T-Mobile has also withdrawn its sports director and Ullrich's mentor, Rudy Pevenage.